NY Observer > Malcolm Smith

As Bruno Exits, Real Estate Legislation Angles for Spotlight

Eliot Brown — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:55:33 -0400

Each year in Albany, a multitude of bills on housing issues go through a familiar pattern: The Democratic-led Assembly, supported by affordable housing groups, passes legislation that would expand tenants’ rights and protections to varying degrees, including bills that would strengthen rent stabilization. Then the Republican-led Senate, backed by the New York City real estate industry, votes down the legislation or takes no action, often saying the bills would crimp economic development or encroach on property owners’ rights.

Now, with an increasingly narrow Republican majority in the Senate and the retirement of Senator Joseph Bruno, who led the Republican side for 13 years, the recurring rhythm of real estate legislation—and the political alliances that go along with it—could shift substantially. read more »

Scenes From (Outside) 41 Broad Street

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 23 May 2008 09:11:54 -0400

Here’s a ticket that intern Em Whitney and I scored as a souvenir from last night’s State Democratic Party fund-raiser at 41 Broad Street. Since the event was closed to the press, we didn’t actually make it inside, but we did get to chat with a few people outside about Hillary Clinton‘s presidential campaign and other topics of interest. read more »

Between Sabini-Monserrate and the Queens Machine, Malcolm Smith

Azi Paybarah — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:12:51 -0400

One angle I haven’t considered yet regarding the Queens County Democratic Party endorsement meeting on Friday is what it means for State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith. read more »

Dahroug and the Democratic Establishment

Azi Paybarah — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:59:29 -0400

Earlier, I wrote that some Democrats are not very enthusiastic about seeing fellow Democrat Jimmy Dahroug make a third attempt to unseat Republican State Senator Caesar Trunzo on Long Island.

Today's Newsday has more on the story. read more »

Malcolm Smith Says Bruno's Time Is Up

Azi Paybarah — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:15:01 -0400

A person attending Reform Day in Albany called just now to relay a few remarks made there by Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith.

“Joe Bruno, your time has come -- reform is on its way,” Smith told the audience of more than 150 people, according to the attendee.

Smith went on to say that he will push for campaign finance reform and nonpartisan redistricting, the attendee said. read more »

Race and the Sean Bell Trial

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:13:24 -0400

City Councilman Tom White said today he didn’t think the Sean Bell case is “black against white,” citing the racial diversity of two of the officers on trial (two were black, one was white).

Some, like State Assemblyman Ruben Diaz Jr., think otherwise.

When asked, State Senate Democratic leader Malcolm Smith seemed to disagree with White, and quickly moved on to the next question.

Electeds Speak About Bell Verdict

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:52:31 -0400

I just got back from Michael Bloomberg's press conference at a job center in Jamaica, not far from where Sean Bell was killed in 2006.

Bloomberg said he doesn’t expect any violence in response to today's verdict, and added that there is room for peaceful dissent and possibly legal action.

Also there were Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Council members Leroy Comrie and Tom White, and State Senate Democratic leader Malcolm Smith. read more »

State Senate Dems: Drug Price Hike a 'Death Sentence'

Azi Paybarah — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:45:02 -0400

From earlier today, and worth mentioning if only for the unusual starkness of rhetoric:

State Senate Democrats are hoping stop private insurance companies from increasing the cost of health care for thousands of New Yorkers, arguing that a change in New York's three-tier system of calculating costs -- allowing insurance companies to apply for a Tier 4 reimbursement level -- would raise the price of prescription drugs for patients. read more »

Sharpton: 'We've Always Called for Peace'

Azi Paybarah — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:49:54 -0400

Al Sharpton just finished a press conference with friends and family of Sean Bell, saying they hoped justice would be dispensed by the trial judge, who will announce a verdict Friday.

Sharpton also refuted the notion that their supporter need to be reminded not to act violently if they are unhappy with the decision.

He went on to say that it was the police who acted recklessly when they approached and fired on Bell and his friends without just cause. read more »

Smith: 'Open-Minded' Paterson Won't Be Held to Old Positions

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:18:58 -0400

Malcolm Smith is downplaying the notion that David Paterson might force the positions he held as a State Senator into the governorship.

The Senate Minority Leader emphasized that Paterson "understands that he's in a new role" during an interview with Gabe Pressman, taped this morning for NBC's News Forum.

Here's the exchange, from a transcript the network sent over: read more »